24 Jump Street officially in the works with Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum in talks to return
Sony Pictures confirms 24 Jump Street is happening, skipping number 23 entirely in a meta nod to the franchise's self-aware comedy. Rodney Rothman will direct, with the original trio expected to return after a decade-long gap.
24 Jump Street is officially in development at Sony Pictures, with Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and Ice Cube in talks to return for the third instalment. According to exclusive industry reports, the R-rated comedy will skip the number 23 entirely — a perfectly meta move for a franchise that's built on self-aware humour.
Key Takeaways
- 24 Jump Street is in development with Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and Ice Cube in talks to return.
- Rodney Rothman will direct the film and co-wrote the script with Hill and Meghan Malloy.
- The title skips 23 as a continuation of the franchise's self-aware humour from 22 Jump Street's ending.
- The previous film 22 Jump Street earned $331 million globally at the box office.
- Phil Lord and Chris Miller return as producers after directing the first two films.
What we know about 24 Jump Street so far
Rodney Rothman, who co-directed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, will helm the project and co-wrote the script with Hill and Meghan Malloy. The film brings back the original producing team of Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who directed the first two instalments, alongside Neal H. Moritz.
Tatum and Reid Carolin are producing through their Free Association banner, while Hill and Matt Dines are attached via their Strong Baby production company. Currently, all three lead actors are in talks rather than signed deals, with Tatum reportedly having received an offer and negotiations expected to begin soon.
The project marks the return of Schmidt and Jenko's undercover cop antics after more than a decade in development hell. Sony has been trying to crack a third Jump Street film since 22 Jump Street's massive success in 2014.
Why is it called 24 Jump Street instead of 23?
The title is a direct continuation of 22 Jump Street's brilliant ending gag, which featured a montage of increasingly ridiculous fake sequels. In that sequence, Schmidt and Jenko infiltrate medical school, culinary school, firefighter school, dance school and seminary before eventually going to space and becoming a video game and animated series.
By skipping straight to 24, Sony is leaning into the franchise's greatest strength: its willingness to mock the very concept of endless sequels while simultaneously being one. It's the kind of self-aware move that made the series work in the first place.
This also allows the film to sidestep the complicated history of 23 Jump Street, which was originally planned as a crossover with Sony's Men in Black franchise. Channing Tatum once called that scrapped script "the best script that I've ever read for a third movie," but the crossover concept apparently proved too unwieldy.
The franchise's impressive track record
The Jump Street films have been remarkably successful for R-rated comedies. The 2012 original, which marked Phil Lord and Chris Miller's live-action directorial debut, grossed more than $200 million worldwide despite modest expectations.
22 Jump Street topped that performance with a $331 million global box office haul, proving the concept had serious commercial legs. Both films earned critical praise for their chemistry between Hill and Tatum, along with Ice Cube's scene-stealing turn as the perpetually angry Captain Dickson.
The success made the series one of Sony's most valuable comedy franchises, though attempts to continue it have faced various obstacles over the past decade. The original plan for a Men in Black crossover was ultimately deemed too complicated, leaving the project in development limbo until now.
What this means for Sony's comedy strategy
24 Jump Street represents a significant move for Sony Pictures, which has struggled to maintain consistent success in the R-rated comedy space in recent years. The franchise's return signals the studio's commitment to reviving proven properties rather than developing entirely new comedy concepts.
The involvement of Rothman as director is particularly interesting, given his success with animated storytelling and his ability to balance humour with genuine heart. His work on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse demonstrated a keen understanding of how to honour existing properties while bringing fresh perspective.
For UAE cinema audiences, the previous Jump Street films performed well in local multiplexes, suggesting strong regional appeal for the R-rated comedy format. Local distribution details haven't been announced, though Empire Entertainment typically handles Sony releases in the region.
Release timeline and UAE availability
No official release date has been announced for 24 Jump Street, with the project still in early development stages.
UAE cinema release is expected to follow the same pattern as previous Jump Street films, with Empire Entertainment likely handling regional distribution. The R-rating may require some editing for local release, though both previous films screened in UAE cinemas with minimal changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the new movie called 24 Jump Street instead of 23?
The title continues a running gag from 22 Jump Street's ending, which featured fake sequels numbered beyond 23. Sony is skipping 23 to lean into the franchise's self-aware humour about endless sequels.
Will Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum return for 24 Jump Street?
Yes, both actors are currently in talks to return as Schmidt and Jenko, along with Ice Cube as Captain Dickson. However, contracts haven't been signed yet, with negotiations expected to begin soon.
Who is directing 24 Jump Street?
Rodney Rothman, co-director of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, will direct the film. He also co-wrote the script with Jonah Hill and Meghan Malloy.
What happened to 23 Jump Street?
The original 23 Jump Street was planned as a crossover with Men in Black but was ultimately scrapped. Channing Tatum called it "the best script" he'd read for a third movie, but the concept proved too complex.
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